Scope/content:

Keywords

UKAT

Other details

Contained records

Notes by Major-General Cecil Macready [Director of Personal Services, War Office] on the strike of dock workers and miners at Salford [Lancashire] including [WSC's] dispatch of Major-General Macready to command troops and mounted police; position of the forces of the cavalry, infantry and Metropolitan Police; the acceptance of terms by the strikers and subsequent withdrawal of troops and Metropolitan Police. Macready includes a copy of the order to withdraw [see CHAR 12/12/4] and a memorandum given to Officers and Inspectors [see CHAR 12/12/5-6]. Signed typescript initialled by WSC.

Copy of the order given to Major-General Cecil Macready [Director of Personal Services, War Office] by the Mayor and Chief Constable to withdraw the troops [from Salford, Lancashire]. Typescript. See CHAR 12/12/1-3.

Copy of a confidential memorandum detailing the principles by which the military should assist the civil authorities during the strikes at Salford [Lancashire] including efforts which to avoid confrontation between the military and strikers, and the circumstances under which the military are to be deployed. Typescript. See CHAR 12/12/1-3.

Letter from F S Phillips (Mayoralty of Salford [Lancashire]) to WSC asking for an appointment to thank him for his assistance during the strikes at Salford and for the action of Major-General [Cecil] Macready [Director of Personal Services, War Office]. Signed manuscript.

Pamphlet entitled "Settlement of Labour Disputes" which includes articles reprinted from the Times and the Manchester Guardian describing a scheme proposed by Sir Charles Macara for a new department to which industrial disputes might be referred. See CHAR 12/12/9.

Notes concerning the widespread industrial unrest including observations on the following subjects: the threat posed by trade unionism; the concepts of sympathetic strikes and the general strike; and the lack of control in the event of a railway strike. Suggestions are made for a meeting between the Prime Minister [Herbert Asquith] and large industrial employers or the establishment of a committee. Manuscript on the notepaper of the Board of Trade.

Letter from Sir George Askwith [Comptroller General Commercial, Labour and Statistical Departments] (Board of Trade) to [WSC] enclosing a memorandum [see CHAR 12/12/15-20] concerning proposals to deal with the problem of industrial unrest. Signed manuscript.

Memorandum prepared by [Sir George Askwith, Comptroller General Commercial, Labour and Statistical Departments, Board of Trade] concerning proposals to deal with the problem of industrial unrest. He discusses proposals for: a meeting between the Prime Minister [Herbert Asquith] and industrial employers (suggested names are included); and the establishment of a conciliation department. He provides answers to possible objections to this scheme. Manuscript. Covering letter at CHAR 12/12/14.

Letter from Sir George Askwith [Comptroller General Commercial, Labour and Statistical Departments, Board of Trade] (Gwyndyr House, Whitehall [London]) to WSC enclosing the names and addresses [see CHAR 12/12/22] of heads of industries [who would be suitable for a meeting with the Prime Minister [Herbert Asquith] to discuss the problem of industrial unrest]. Signed manuscript.

Names and addresses of heads of industries [who would be suitable for a meeting with the Prime Minister [Herbert Asquith] to discuss the problem of industrial unrest]. Typescript annotated by Sir George Askwith. Covering letter at CHAR 12/12/21.

Letter from Colonel Sir Douglas Dawson (Medmenham Abbey, Marlow [Buckinghamshire]) to WSC describing the "peaceful picketing" taking place at Paddington Station which he says is preventing goods from being taken out of the station. Signed manuscript.

Draft telegram from WSC to King George V including a report from the Chief Constable of Liverpool which describes the deterioration of the dock strike and the rioting in Liverpool. WSC includes details of the troops which have been sent to Liverpool and to areas close to Manchester and London. Typescript. Copy at CHAR 12/12/67, draft at CHAR 12/12/30-34.

Draft telegram from [WSC] describing the deterioration of the dock strike and rioting in Liverpool. He discusses the strike among tram workers which has not taken place and the possibility that the general manager of one of the railway companies has negotiated with the leader of the strike committee. Includes covering sheet giving the date and time of the dispatch of the telegram. Manuscript.

Copy of a telegram from WSC to King George V including a report from the Chief Constable of Liverpool which describes the deterioration of the dock strike and the rioting in Liverpool. WSC includes details of the troops which have been sent to Liverpool and to areas close to Manchester and London. Manuscript in the hand of WSC. Copy telegrams at CHAR 12/12/24 and CHAR 12/12/67.

Letter from Edward, 17th Lord Derby (Grand Hotel, Harrogate [Yorkshire]) to WSC marked "confidential". He reports that he has received a telephone message from the Mayor of Liverpool who is afraid that there will be a revolution and wholesale looting in Liverpool. Derby says that a settlement is unlikely as neither side respects the Board of Trade representative. He urges immediate action to establish arbitration and offers his assistance. Signed manuscript.

Letter from R G Hickling (79 Carlton Terrace, Surrey Street, Norwich [Norfolk]) to WSC claiming that he has been successful at predicting events during the Boer War through astrology and advising WSC to act to conciliate both sides [in the railway and dock strikes] because of the movement of Jupiter to an aspect of the sun. Signed manuscript.

[Transcript of a letter from] King George V [to WSC] concerning the riots in Liverpool which appear to be more like a revolution than a strike. He asks whether Labour leaders could help in forcing a settlement, and says that troops should not be deployed in a "half hearted" way. Manuscript in the hand of Edward Marsh, on the notepaper of the Home Secretary.

Letter from Sir Frederick Ponsonby [later Lord Sysonby, Private Secretary and Equerry to King George V] (Walton Abbey, Skipton [Yorkshire]) thanking him on behalf of the King for the telegrams he has sent concerning the strike. Signed manuscript.

Copy of a report on the railway strike. Subjects covered include: the suspension of goods trains which threatens the food supply to South Wales and the area between Newcastle, Liverpool, Nottingham and Hull and the lack of accurate information from the railway companies concerning efforts to resume services and the extent of the strike. Typescript with manuscript alterations and a note on the dorse concerning the return of troops and the enlistment of special constables.

Telegram from King George V to WSC thanking him for his telegram informing him that the strike has ended, and for the accounts he has provided during the strike. The King says that he is pleased that the troops are to return to their districts and expresses regret for the "unfortunate incident at Llanelly [Camarthenshire, Wales]". He also congratulates WSC on the measures he took which prevented further loss of life. Manuscript.

Letter from R G Hickling (79 Surrey Street, Norwich [Norfolk]) to WSC congratulating him for succeeding in resolving the [railway] strike, and promising to provide future [astrological] information. He asks that his earlier letter [see CHAR 12/12/38] be shown to King George V. Signed manuscript.

Letter from J Freeth (Cardiff [Glamorgan, Wales]) addressed to "My dear General" about the possibility of a general strike in the coal industry over the issue of minimum wages which he thinks will take place in October, and which would threaten the coal supply to the Admiralty. Signed manuscript.

Letter from Reginald McKenna [First Lord of the Admiralty] to WSC informing him that the Admiralty is making efforts to ensure the early delivery of coal because of the possibility of a coal strike. He thanks WSC for sending him a letter from J Freeth [see CHAR 12/12/46]. Signed manuscript.

Letter from Lord Knollys [Private Secretary to King George V] (Balmoral Castle) to WSC informing him that the King has promised not to repeat what he had been told to [Lord] Morley and noting the collapse of the Irish Railway strike. Signed manuscript.

Typescript notes explaining reasons for the Government's actions to secure supplies of food and fuel [during the railway and dock strikes] which are described as motivated by the responsibility of the Government to the public, and the working classes in particular, not by support to either side in the dispute, and by the fact that it is a criminal offence to break a contract of employment "where the effect will be to endanger life or cause serious bodily injury". A section of the first page is a copy of CHAR 12/12/51.

Typescript notes explaining reasons for the Government's actions to secure supplies of food and fuel [during the railway and dock strikes] which are described as motivated by the responsibility of the Government to the public, and the working classes in particular, not by support to either side in the dispute. Annotated by WSC. See CHAR 12/12/49-50.

Copy of a letter from [WSC, Home Office] to the Adjutant General concerning the presence of the Metropolitan Police in South Wales. As there is no sign of resolution in the strike it is proposed that the infantry force should be strengthened so that the police may be removed. WSC asks whether the War Office will be prepared to supply further infantry forces if Major-General [Cecil] Macready [Director of Personal Services, War Office] should require them. Unsigned typescript.

Copy of a letter from [WSC, Home Office] reporting that order has been established in the collieries in the Rhondda Valley [Glamorgan, Wales] and that it is expected that the Chief Constable will not need the military who are to remain nearby without coming into contact with the public. [WSC] also describes the action of the Home Office concerning the dispatch of troops to the riots at Tonypandy, and his subsequent decisions to use Metropolitan Police instead of troops and to halt the cavalry at Cardiff [Glamorgan, Wales] and the infantry at Swindon [Wiltshire] [WSC] also explains that Major-General [Cecil] Macready and the Chief Constable of Glamorgan were authorised to move the troops forward if required. Unsigned typescript.

Notes by [Sir Edward Troup, Permanent Under Secretary of State, Home Office] providing information about industrial unrest in various parts of the country including: London, Liverpool (where shortage of food is a problem), Manchester, Sheffield [Yorkshire], Derby, and Cardiff [Glamorgan, Wales]. Manuscript.

Notes [?by WSC] about the railway strike including the areas in which the majority of railway workers are on strike and where there is a threat of famine. The help of the population in the affected regions is appealed for and a promise is made that "there is nothing that the Government will not do that is in their power". Unsigned typescript annotated by WSC "Secret. Put by".

Section of a draft telegram to be ciphered and sent from [WSC] to King George V detailing the extent of the railway strike and the percentage of railway workers on strike in individual areas, and warning that the stoppage of goods trains in the strike areas threatens an estimated 20 million people with famine. Typescript.

Copy of a letter from WSC (Home Office) to King George V saying that it is likely that the strike will be settled, suggesting that a message of the King's satisfaction should be made public, and asking for permission to congratulate the Commissioner of the Metropolitan Police on behalf of the King. Unsigned typescript.

Copy of a telegram from WSC to King George V including a report from the Chief Constable of Liverpool which describes the deterioration of the dock strike and the rioting in Liverpool. WSC includes details of the troops which have been sent to Liverpool and to areas close to Manchester and London. Typescript. Copy at CHAR 12/12/24. Draft at CHAR 12/12/30-34.

Copy of a telegram from WSC to King George V covering various subjects including: an improvement in the London dock strike; negotiations with the railway workers and the fact that the signal for a general railway strike has not been given; assurances that railway services can be maintained; a report from the Chief Constable of Liverpool which includes notification that the [H M S] Antrim has arrived at the Mersey; details of the troops sent to Sheffield and London and preparations to swear in large numbers of special constables. WSC expresses confidence that order can be maintained by the Government despite "a spirit of unusual unrest and discontent". Typescript. Draft copy at CHAR 12/12/73-77.

Draft copy of a telegram from WSC to King George V covering various subjects including: an improvement in the London dock strike; negotiations with the railway workers and the fact that the signal for a general railway strike has not been given; assurances that railway services can be maintained; a report from the Chief Constable of Liverpool which includes notification that the [H M S] Antrim has arrived at the Mersey; details of the troops sent to Sheffield and London and preparations to swear in large numbers of Special Constables. WSC expresses confidence that order can be maintained by the Government despite "a spirit of unusual unrest and discontent". Typescript with manuscript alterations. Copy telegram at CHAR 12/12/68-72.

Copy of a telegram from WSC to King George V covering various subjects including: the restoration of order at Llanelly [Camarthenshire, Wales] and in South Wales; arrangements for a meeting of railway workers in London; preparation for the withdrawal of the troops and the settlement of the dispute between master lightermen and their employees. Typescript.

Copy of a telegram from [WSC] to King George V covering various subjects including: the restoration of essential services on the railway network; the numbers of railway workers still on strike; the refusal of offers of service by the railway managers; the continuing movement of the troops and enrolment of Special Constables and [WSC's] hopes of resolving the London docks strike. Typescript.

Copy of a telegram from WSC to King George V informing him of the improvement of the situation in London where railway and dock workers are returning to work; and describing the serious riots in Liverpool to which the troops have been called. Typescript with manuscript alterations.

Printed copy of the terms of the agreement reached [in the London dock strike] between the Port of London Authority, wharfingers, granary keepers, ship owners and the National Transport Workers' Federation.